Chapter 183 - Stephen's Ultimate: Double Wedding

Sofia's teacher did not stay longer than she had expected. Several instructions and words of encouragement were given to her before she was left to study on her own.

After reading for an hour, Sofia took a break and decided to have some snacks. She picked all the books in her table and carry them to the librarian.

"I'd like to borrow these books?" Sofia placed the book carefully on the front desk.

"Your library ID?" the librarian on duty was in her late twenties. She casually asked Sofia for her ID without sparing a glance at the student in front of her.

Sofia combed her hair and realized that students whom are in night class do not have a library card. It was because no students in the night section have really used the library. This facility is naturally closed when they have their classes.

"I am in the night class," she politely said.

"What year are you now?" the librarian finally looked up and focused her attention on Sofia.

"I am in junior year. We don't have a library ID," Sofia replied.

"It's because no one in your section visits this library. Fill out this form and I'll give you a temporary library card," the librarian said and pushed the form to her. 

"Okay. Ma'am, when is the maximum day that I can keep these books?" Sofia asked and quickly scribbled her information in every field.

"The books must be returned on Monday, next week. If not, you'll serve community extension service during Saturdays," the librarian said.

"I see. Thank you," Sofia expressed and exited the library.

On her way towards the cafeteria, Sofia happened to pass the classroom of the seniors where Joey and Stephen were attending the lecture.

The hallway was empty and when she pass by, the eyes of the students listening to the class followed her.

Seeing that a student was wandering outside, the teacher walked out and called her, "Excuse me, young miss! Care to explain why you are out here? Classes had already started!"

"Good day, ma'am! I belong to the night class section," Sofia replied. Her eyes swiftly scanned the students inside the classroom before she looked at the teacher's face.

"Oh, the section of dumb students," the words slipped in the teacher's mouth before she even realized what she said.

Sofia only gave the teacher a sympathetic smile, "We are not dumb, ma'am. No students are dumb."

"Ahaha, yes," the teacher forced an awkward laugh and then noticed the books that Sofia was carrying. She nodded her head several times before walking back to her lecture.

Sofia proceed to walk while mumbling some words that only she could hear, "The night class section is really looked down this much? How could that teacher say that the night class is the section of dumb students? Does she not know that most of the students attending this section are already working? I should insist later to have representatives from our section in all academic contests."

Meanwhile, the teacher sighed in relief after noticing that the student did not make her words a big deal. She somehow felt tense after her mouth slipped and said those nasty comments.

In the back row, Joey lightly kicked at Stephen's chair.

"Stephen! Stephen, Sofia is outside," Joey whispered near the desk. The man was obviously sleeping. But because he was sitting in the last row, no one could see what he was doing.

"Where?" Stephen looked up and saw that there was no one outside. He glared at Joey and formed his hand into a fist. "What are you bluffing?"

"I am not bluffing, she really passed by. Excuse yourself and pretend to go to the comfort room and you will see her. Look at that way," Joey suggested and pointed the direction where Sofia went

Stephen eyed Joey before he raised a hand. "Excuse me, ma'am, may I go out?"

"Go ahead, Mr. Ching," the teacher replied. She did not even bother asking him the reason why he would go out in the middle of her lecture.

Stephen hurriedly stepped out of the classroom and saw the familiar back of Sofia. He grinned and sprinted in her direction.

"Give me that books. What are these for?" he casually said after reaching in her side.

"It's for the essay contest. Don't you have a class? I saw you sleeping," Sofia stated while giving her a meaningful look. She did saw Joey and Stephen when she took a quick glance at the students earlier.

"I am not sleeping. If I was asleep, I would not notice you walking in the hallway," Stephen quickly made an alibi. "Where are you going?"

"I'll go to the cafeteria and find something to eat. I'm also thirsty," Sofia replied.

"Be careful. There are so many daring squads that are recruiting for the regional tournament. If they manage to recruit you, then, what are we going to do with the Chronos squad?" Stephen thoughtfully said with a small smile on his face.

"Oh yeah? Someone was recruiting Claire in the library. How many were inviting you to play for them?" Sofia curiously asked.

"No one. They are afraid to come and talk to me," Stephen shrugged. "Although, someone also asked Joey if we will participate in the regionals," he added.

"Hmm, that's fine," Sofia mumbled.

The two stepped inside the cafeteria where all the tables were practically available.

"Which side do you want to sit on?" Stephen asked and looked around.

"Just here is fine," Sofia said and went to the nearest table on her left side. "Are you skipping class?"

"I'm suddenly hungry," Stephen answered. Yes, he was obviously making valid reason to skip.

"Okay, I'll order us food. I'm hungry too," Sofia stated and placed her bag above the books. She opened the small pocket and took her wallet from it.

"What do you want to eat?" she asked while checking the cash inside her wallet.

"I'll go and grab our food. Stay here," Stephen spoke and took his wallet from his pants.

"What--- okay," Sofia did not argue and took a sit. "Cold sprite too," she added.

While Stephen went on the counter, three girls entered and sat next to their table.

"Hey!" one of the girls called. Her face looked haughty as she stared in Sofia's direction.

"Hey!" Sofia repeated in the same manner as the girl spoke.

"I've never seen you around. Are you a transferee?" the girl asked with a small smirk on her lips.

"Likewise," Sofia muttered and checked her phone.

"What? What do you mean likewise?" the other girl stated.

"It means the same," Stephen sounded before Sofia could respond. He was bringing a tray of noodles and sandwiches and two cans of sprite.

"The same?" the three girls looked confused. They were slow to understand what Sofia meant in her response.

"It means I have never seen you around too. Are you a transferee?" Sofia repeated the question of the girl.

"We are always here. The cafeteria is our territory," the third girl declared.

"Says who?" Stephen asked and placed the tray of food on their table.

"Don't speak anymore, I think that is the senior student that was almost expelled," the second girl told her companions.

"Ohh, yeah, that is him. Look at the tattoo on his wrist," the first girl said.

"Sorry to bother you," the third girl told Sofia and then the three quickly exited the cafeteria.

"Your fans?" Sofia asked while stirring lightly at her noodles.

"Stop talking and eat," Stephen muttered. He dipped his fork on the bowl and twirled the noodles before bring them to Sofia's mouth.

"You are the only man that can disarm my confidence," Sofia hinted but still took a bite on the food Stephen gave her. Her face flushed in red no matter how she tried to calm herself. 

The sudden gesture of Stephen feeding her really drained the level of confidence she had to the point that she began to feel conscious. Thankfully, only the two of them are eating.

"Haha, no need to be shy," Stephen chuckled.

"Why do I feel like you just used your ultimate on me, And now, my entire HP is about to be drained, " Sofia said after chewing the food.

"That is definitely not my ultimate!" Stephen eyed her. 

Then out of nowhere, they burst into laughter. Sofia did understand the meaning behind it. 

"I'll attend the wedding of Brent and Grace on the 25th. Do you have plans?" Sofia casually changed the subject of their conversation. 

"My father arranged marriage of me and Grace to seal some deal in the company. It was agreed by the mayor too. If I attend their wedding, it will be awkward," Stephen said.

"Awkward? It will only be awkward if you raise your hand when the priest asked if there is someone that objects to their union," Sofia replied. She opened the can of sprite and drank it in half.

"How about we make it a double wedding? I'm sure your friend, Brent, would approve of it," Stephen grinned with a hint of wickedness flashed in his eyes.

Sofia's eyes widened and she was almost choked by her drinks.. "Oh gosh! This is really your ultimate. I cannot! How did you even come up with the idea!?"